A/N: I watched "Q2" again today so that I could finish this story and then realised that I had already finished it. This is based on the premise that, although he was healed, Icheb still spent a little recovery time in Sickbay. Plus, I thought it was a shame we didn't see his reaction to what happened, also there's a little I/N because apparently I'm now a shipper...The title is a play on "Friend Like Me" from Aladdin, seems like a Q-type song :P Anyways, hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Friend Like You
The Q do not experience fear, Q reminded himself as he looked into the eyes of the irate blonde in front of him.
"You hurt him," she said flatly.
Q ducked his head a little in shame, "Yes," he admitted, "but I tried to make it right."
"You're still human though, so it was all for nothing," she said bluntly.
Q tried not to let on how much that statement hurt, "I know," he said quietly.
"People thought he'd gone willingly, that you'd convinced him to leave Voyager. You almost got him killed," she continued in an accusatory tone.
"He's very lucky," Q said, she narrowed her eyes, "to have a friend like you," he clarified.
Slightly mollified by his comment, Naomi softened the defensive stance she'd taken by Icheb's bio-bed.
"I am sorry," Q told her seriously.
Naomi glanced over her shoulder and then back at Q, "You should apologise to Icheb, not me," she told him. "He'll be awake soon," she added, picking up the PADD she'd been reading before he entered.
Q watched her leave before taking her seat beside the bio-bed, using the time to think through what he was going to say to Icheb.
"So, you're still here," a voice said drily, startling Q from his musings, he looked up to find Icheb watching him.
"Yep," he said lamely.
"To stay or...?" Icheb began, breaking the awkward silence.
"To stay, I think," Q replied, "unless Aunty Kathy won't allow it."
Icheb nodded.
"Look, Icheb, I'm really sorry about what I put you through," Q told him seriously, leaning forward. "It was a stupid thing to do and I understand if you're upset with me, I've already had a chewing out from Naomi-"
"Naomi was here?" Icheb asked, interrupting Q's tirade.
"Yeah," Q confirmed, slightly confused by the deviation but not missing the way Icheb's eyes lit up slightly at the idea of Naomi visiting.
"I'm sorry I almost got you killed," Q said finally.
"The Doctor told me what you were willing to do in order to save my life. It would be...ungrateful of me to hold a grudge," Icheb intoned gravely.
"So you forgive me?" Q asked, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I guess I do," Icheb replied, "besides, if we're going to be stuck with you I guess I'll have to," he added with a wry smile.
Q laughed; glad to have his friend back.